Should You Release the Handbrake or Engage the Gear First When Starting a Car?
3 Answers
When driving, it is important to engage the gear first and then release the handbrake. Below are the precautions for starting a car and the hazards of engaging the gear without releasing the handbrake: Precautions for starting a car: Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission, the most crucial step when starting is to engage the gear first and then release the handbrake. The handbrake serves as the final safety measure, and it should only be released after the gear is fully engaged and before moving the car. This practice is very safe. When shifting gears, move quickly from P to D to avoid passing through R, which can cause backlash and damage the transmission. Hazards of engaging the gear without releasing the handbrake: If the gear is engaged but the handbrake is not released, all the power output from the engine will be absorbed by the torque converter, causing its temperature to rise sharply. Prolonged exposure to this condition can burn out the torque converter. For dual-clutch transmissions, after engaging the gear, the clutch friction plates will be in a semi-engaged state. Prolonged semi-engagement can lead to the burning of the friction plates, so it is necessary to start the car as soon as possible.
As an experienced driver with years of driving, I'd like to share some personal advice: always develop the habit of releasing the handbrake before shifting gears when starting the car. Every time I get in the driver's seat and start the engine, the first thing I do is press the handbrake button or pull down the handbrake lever, making sure the warning light on the dashboard goes off, and only then do I shift into D or drive gear. This sequence is crucial to avoid putting unnecessary stress on the vehicle during startup. If you shift gears before releasing the handbrake, the transmission may experience sudden excessive force, leading to wear, unusual noises, or even increasing the risk of rolling. I remember once on a slope, a friend forgot this sequence—the car jerked forward abruptly, not only damaging the braking system but also nearly causing an accident. Now, in my daily driving, I always take a few extra seconds to double-check, ensuring everything is smooth. This small detail may seem simple, but it protects your car's longevity and, more importantly, ensures safety for yourself and others. Developing good habits makes driving much more worry-free. New drivers should pay attention to this from the very beginning—don't find it troublesome, practice it a few times, and it will become second nature.
I've only been learning to drive for a few months. My instructor taught me the correct procedure for starting: first, firmly press the brake pedal, then completely release the handbrake, and only then shift into gear to start moving. As a beginner, I made this mistake a couple of times at first, thinking the sequence didn't matter, and the car suddenly jerked, the dashboard warning lights came on, scaring me into freezing. Later, I understood the reasoning: if you shift into gear first, the engine is eager to move while the handbrake is still engaged, which can cause the tires to slip or the brake pads to overheat. On the practice field, the instructor emphasized that this kind of mistake could shorten the vehicle's lifespan or cause malfunctions, so now I follow the steps meticulously every time. In daily driving, developing this habit can reduce accidents—for example, on slopes or slippery roads, a smooth start is safer. I recommend everyone double-check their surroundings before starting and avoid rushing to accelerate; small details add up to greater peace of mind.
